Friday, February 6, 2009

Why the heck do certain practices still exist in our government today?

I am still infuriated until now. My day was really terrible. Sigh. I’lltry to calm down. Here’s the story.

I and Adrian went to apply for NBI clearance this morning. We were told that it starts 8:00 a.m.so we decided to get into the place as early as 7:30. Only a couple municipal employees were in the entrance by then. They told us to come back by 8 a.m. We ate and killed time until 8am. Thirty minutes was not long enough to wait. When we returned, we were given f0rms to fill up. We saw a group of applicants waiting outside. We sat beside them as we waited. Time ticked.8:3099:301010:30

Applicants arrived by batches. The number of people lined up for the application was larger. The pile of application forms was thicker. I was getting impatient by then. Imagine, two hours of waiting. Does it really have to take that long to submit an application? What instantly fueled my burning intolerance was that, I saw this guy, oh, he’s a gay, shuffling the neatly piled application forms on the table. He was rearranging it in the manner that it favors those people who came late. I saw him eyeing the men seated beside us. He was reasoning that he was reordering it for those who came early. Oh crap! Obviously, he said nothing but an alibi. In the first place, we came earlier than them and when we arrived, he, that gay jerk, was not even in the office yet.Disgusting! It was getting in to my nerves. He kept on insisting to rearrange the stack of forms while asking the names of those individuals near to him.With difficulty making her way through the crowd, the NBI representative finally came. Oh Filipino time. Her presence did not pacify me. She started calling the names of those on top of the pile. As expected, those who arrived late were entertained first. What an irony. Irate as I was with that stupid faced, I approached the municipal employee in front of me. Though I was fuming with rage, I tried to ask politely and calmly,

“Tita, may palakasan ba dito?” (Do you tolerate backer's system here?) I know my voice was shaking. I can’t perfectly control the burst of emotions.I wanted to cry, I wanted to yell at her for her apathy.

She said “Wala naman. Bakit?” (No we don't. Why?)

I said, “Kanina pa kami 7:30 dumating pero nauna pa sila sa min. " (We were here as early as 7:30 am but then they were attended first than us.

She replied “Mag intay n lng kayo” (Just wait for your turn)

“Kanina pa po kami naghihintay. Dapat po kse sinunod na lang ung number d2 s form", (We have waited long enough. The numbers here in the form should have been used to make the process systematic) then I pointed a blank form on the table.

She was annoyed with my query. I felt helpless and turned back to my seat. What a system, unorganized, unsystematic. Aren’t she not supposed to do anything? I loathed them. I have never been that assertive in my whole life. But, who’s to blame? If she was in my shoes she would definitely be heated with that kind of unfairness. I won’t settle for anything less than what I deserve and what I know is right. I even saw her colleague talked to that gay to arrange the pile again for her friend seated beside me, who, obviously, just came in. Dang! So where was that no "backer’s system" she was talking about?

Adrian was also irate.He was about to call Kuya Edwin when the man in blue, who gave us the forms this morning, drew near to us. He was surprised when he saw us. He asked why we were still waiting for our turn when he was well aware that we came ahead of time this morning. I and Adrian both spoke of our resentment. We told him that the latecomers cut into the line and they did nothing but tolerate it. Another man who came backed up and claimed that he saw our early arrival. He said he already left and came and yet we were still in queue. How could that be? The uproar started. The man in blue, shouted to tell those involved to assist us. He yelled tirades to that irresponsible gay and accused him of being biased. Well, he obviously, he was. He called Adrian to look after our forms from the pile and put it on top. The employee I talked to helped in sorting out our forms. What happened to her lack of concern? Did she realized how unjust she was?

I was thankful to the Good Samaritans. I am glad they still exists in our modern today. I was half relieved until my turn. I don’t care how the crowd thinks about me. I don’t give a damn on what that gay might say about me. I fought for what is right. I played fair and wanted to be treated fair in return. Was that too much to ask though? When we departed, we thanked the man in blue. I was pleased I won’t see that gay’s face for now, because I will be returning next week to claim our clearance.

My afternoon was already wretched. I and Adrian were still out of mood. We chilled out at the mall. Good thing I have a blog to express my angst on. I also shared my aunt of the terrible event. The morale I learned, never be hesitant and afraid to stand up for what is right and what is due.

11
comments on "A terrible day!"

Hay... Had countless experience when it comes sa government natin. There were times that I was assertive and made my point sa kanila but I didn't benefit anything from it. It's really sad and frustrating in my opinion but hopefully, things will change, kahit slowly, basta magbago for the better. :)

Same thing here in Thailand. It is so frustrating. You don't know whether it is a good thing to be early or not. And me being a foreigner, do not have any right at all to complain. Just sit, wait, smile, and hope for a good Samaritan. As if we do not have anything else to do!

Same thing here in Thailand. It is so frustrating. You don't know whether it is a good thing to be early or not. And me being a foreigner, do not have any right at all to complain. Just sit, wait, smile, and hope for a good Samaritan. As if we do not have anything else to do!

Sorry you had to go through that-sounds sucky! I've been to a few bureaucratic places like that myself over the years-totally sucks!At least you finally got recognition and treated right at the end of it all. Take care, Pam

One of the bad side of our government agencies.The bad attitude of the government employees.I,too have experienced that thing!I really fight for what is right.I don't care what other people might think of me.You just did what is right.Thanks to those concerned people who have helped you.

I hear you! I am a government employee myself and I often see government workers dealing with their clients with really nasty behaviors and that really makes me sick!

Most number of civil servants don't actually live up to their constituent's expectations. Being the front liners that we are, it is expected that we deal with our own people with utmost courtesy, in our best manners. I don't quite understand why most people act indifferently at most times. We must always bear in mind why we are here in the first place. If they are not happy with their jobs, that isn't enough justification to act nastily the way they did with you. They better quit and quick!

I came from the private sector and I've worked there for 6 years that's why when I worked for the government 2 years ago, I was kind of shocked! The organizational culture was way different from what I had adopted in my previous employment.

Most civil servants lack the proper training/ seminars. Professionalism is not practiced and too many of them are resistant to changes. It's really no wonder why our country is not progressing at all.

I am sorry for my litany! I refused to be molded into the decaying system of the government... I hope change is still possible for all of us...